புறநானூற்றில் கொடைமடமும் படைமடமும்

Generosity and Martial Valour in Purananuru

Abstract

Among the Sangam literary works, Purananuru is an important text that records the external life of the Tamils in various dimensions. In particular, the generosity of kings, military strength, prosperity of the country, natural resources, and the life of the people are presented in the poems as interconnected aspects. Among these, kodaimadam (unstinting generosity) and padaimadam (fearless martial valour) are considered significant qualities for assessing the excellence of a king’s rule.In this article, giving without considering the worthiness, economic status, or relationship of those who approach the king for assistance is understood as kodaimadam, while the quality of acting fearlessly on the battlefield is understood as padaimadam. The poems of Purananuru employ natural elements such as rain, rivers, the sea, and waterfalls as similes for generosity. Similarly, elements such as elephants, horses, shields, armies, and acts of warfare are used to reveal the military strength of kings.Based on the selected poetic evidences, this article examines how kodaimadam and padaimadam are represented and constructed in Purananuru.